What is going on with Kojima Productions?

It looks like some changes are happening at Kojima Productions and Konami.

Earlier today the official Kojima Productions Twitter account announced that they will be ‘officially moving accounts’ to a new Twitter page called METAL GEAR OFFICIAL.

But here’s the weird thing: as users on the popular MGS fanpage on Reddit pointed out, the names ‘Kojima Productions’ and ‘A Hideo Kojima Game’ have been removed from the Konami website and even the official MGSV site. The Kojima Productions Japan site now redirects to a ‘Metal Gear Portal’ site.

Here you can see ‘A Hideo Kojima Game’ has been removed from the official website, not only for The Phantom Pain but also for previous titles, including The Legacy Collection:

All these changes led to rumors that Kojima may be leaving Konami in the near future. However, in a statement to website Videogamer.com, a Konami representative responded to these rumors with the following message:

The representative didn’t want to provide further comments when asked about the changes made to the websites.

It looks like something is going on, but for now it remains unclear what it could be exactly. It is possible that Konami is preparing to continue Metal Gear without the current involvement by Kojima, perhaps they plan to make a new studio to work on the franchise in the future (much like how 343 Industries was founded to continue the Halo franchise after Bungie had separated from Microsoft). Maybe Kojima will be taking a step back and serve as a supervisor for future titles, while new teams work on the games, and Kojima on new projects. But for now this is obviously just speculation.

Concerning him working on new projects…. At what age do people stop working in Japan? 60-65? In that case, he still has some time left making games. He might be able to make 3 more AAA games give or take (depending on how big the developement is)

SiodogRehane

they have is called konami573ch

Xilurm

That’s Konami in general. I mean an account where they upload exclusively MGS stuff. Or just Kojima Productions stuff.

Kol Leqejza

they have. it’s called: metalgearsolid

StealthyBigBoss

I don’t like the sound of this one bit…

Xilurm

Why not? If this is supposed to be his last MSG does it really matter if he leaves or not? He can still make games somewhere else.

StealthyBigBoss

I just don’t understand why they’re removing the Names now and not after release.. I know this sounds stupid but ‘A Hideo Kojima Game’ gives me a lot of nostalgia ever since MGS1 i grew up with those words lol

I just want to know the reasons behind the change thats all

Xilurm

Well the “A Hideo Kojima Game” will still be in the game. But then again I don’t really visit the site so it doesn’t bother me that much.

Arin Luna

Next thing you know we will all get home to an update file for Ground Zeroes and all newer versions of Metal Gear that will have it removed in game..

Dude….. WHY!? :'( Snake!!!

Ninja_Se7eN

He’s been saying that since MGS3, don’t take him seriously.

Shalashaska Has Landed

I’m digging the “Metal Gear Portal” site. They have an entire catalog of all canon and non-canon MGS sources dedicated with it’s own unique portal page (lol hence the name duh). The previous website dedicated to MGSV GZ/TPP is still there. Looks like they just allocated it with the rest of the listed portals to make it a library.

Xilurm

The fact that it lists the noncanon games might mean they do plan on making more mgs games without Kojima. Well, if it’s not made by Kojima then it isn’t canon to me.

StealthyBigBoss

😮

Toni Ymeri

For me the true METAL GEAR games are and will always be those which have the “A HIDEO KOJIMA GAME” on top. If it doesn’t, then it’s not a true Metal Gear game. I fear Konami wants to continue the game even without Kojima and end up making pointless, themeless, meaningless sequels. I hope this doesn’t happen.

Xilurm

Sadly, MGS is one of the their most profitable franchises. So it’s more than likely to happen.

Toni Ymeri

That’s the main reason why it’s going to happen.

MichaelPayneV

Turning Metal Gear in to Assassin’s Creed of today.

Well at least Hideo can move to a new Franchise inspired by MGS or something New like Silent Hills.

Toni Ymeri

Yeah, I was going to mention AC on the comment. Still, hearing a new Metal Gear is being made without Kojima is painful.

MichaelPayneV

I still play the New AC Games, but if MGSV is MG ending, I won’t play future Solid non Kojima Games, I will instead move to future Rising Games and whatever is Hideo doing Next, Games and even Movies.

Toni Ymeri

You do know that Rising is not made by Kojima and is not canon, right?

MichaelPayneV

I know, But Rising is not a “Solid” Game, and i have no problem with more Rising non Kojima Games as long as they are not called “Solid”

Bramdeman

If he leaves Konami, it’s doubtful they will finish Silent Hills under he’s name.

glitchbomb

That is what I was worried about!!

MichaelPayneV

Yeah. Can’t wait to see where he goes from here, finding another publisher, or maybe even making his Directorial debut in Hollywood, with the help of David Hayter and Dell Toro.

I saw David, and automatically thought you were gonna say Cage, then I would be violently ill. If MG were taken up by David Cage the world would end.

Batzi

The Phantom Pain won’t have “A Hideo Kojima Game” tag on the box, it doesn’t mean it’s not a “true” Metal Gear game because we know it is.

Toni Ymeri

Yeah I know and I wansn’t taking about 5 but for other games.

Javier Sosa

This doesn’t look good.

Xilurm

Wait, KPLA now too? I feel their message is all but true. If he is to stay in the company, why rename all his stuff? Did something happen?

ThreeMadFrogs

Removing “A Hideo Kojima Game” doesn’t stop it being a Hideo Kojima game. Seems like a really strange thing to do on Konami’s part.
I’m not surprised if Kojima is interested in branching out, he’s been at Konami for like 30 years. But to take his name off his creations seems a bit messed up.

I have no problems with Kojima retiring or leaving Konami, but removing his name from the studio that was his is disrespectful. George Lucas doesn’t direct new Star Wars movies or he doesn’t even have any affiliation with LucasFilm, but “LucasFilm” still exists in his name, because its his legacy.

We all know that someday Kojima will eventually leave the studio and Konami to follow his own desires and have new experiences, but Kojima Productions and his name should live on.

Removing his name is suggesting that something has definitely happened.

“Kojima is still included on Konami’s corporate profile as the
executive content officer, though he was not included in a list of
executive officers released on March 4. Those changes go into effect
April 1.”

Even though this creates a bad feeling in my stomach, I’m pretty sure, this will turn out to be some exciting Kojima-troll-marketing joke…

Omid Darakeh

Gone

Isaiah

This might be to ensure that if Kojima continues on with his own company he won’t have any rights over the Metal Gear franchise. It seems like Konami is making a bold statement by removing his name. Which is unfair, because the success of the franchise is due in total to Kojima’s creativity and his team. If Kojima Productions moves on, the Metal Gear Legacy should stay with KP. After all, Konami did not create a single spec of Metal Gear material that was as successful. It all came from the minds of Hideo and his team.

Kol Leqejza

don’t forget: konami funded everything. the discs are not going to release itself, or even print itself.

Arin Luna

True true, but it is the same thing as Megaman and Keiji Inafune, he made it, Capcom owns it.. But I disagree because they say Mr.Kojima will be involved in future products too though, “Konami Digital Entertainment, including Mr. Kojima, will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future announcements.” I have a hunch that it is something very different then what people are speculating.

Kol Leqejza

MGS V itself will be very different compared to every metal gear before it.

maybe kojimaproductions will be like the new housedevoloper for konami. they provided PES 2014 w/ the fox engine, helped to produce & develop castlevania 1 & 2 now they’re doing silent hills.

Removing his name from the front page of his creation is what I believe to be disrespectful. Not a good move by Konami at all. Producing discs isn’t the same as selling it. And Kojima’s name is what sells, because he’s the Big Boss of what’s entertaining us all.

Kol Leqejza

maybe it was kojimas intention? we know nothing about it.

kojima is the one since MGS 1 who sayed: “this is my last metal gear & i’m gonna retire, blah, blah”

maybe he didn’t like it being in the focus. it’s always been a hideo kojima game it’s been kojima productions… maybe he don’t want to be that centralized anymore. open up to transperity.

glitchbomb

Didn’t they pay for the FOX engine?

César H. Sandoval

IT’S HAPPENING, TIME FOR PANIC!!!!!

NakedSnake85

Phantom pain..
its all part of his plan

Gatsu

Oh maaan I don’t know how to feel about this if true ;(, but everything good ends eventually I guess…

I understand that even Kojima wants to follow other projects and dreams in the near future, and it seems this is this is his last MGS and after this SH. He still gotta make SH :O!

But why they remove his name from the games? Hideo Kojima is MGS and if they continue develop them without him, well I dunno…it might not be the same :C. I don’t think anyone else could come up with similar kind of amazing stories etc to the possible future Metal Gear games. If Konami continue making them, they better not release a new game each year like some franchises do.

Weird to hear this before TPP is out.

NegaScott128

If Kojima is leaving Konami after TPP, what’s going to happen to Silent Hills? That’s still a Konami IP, so how would he be able to work on it if he’s left the company?

Arin Luna

I honestly think Kojima is moving up the ladder again, or something, because really? What is Konami anymore without Kojima, only two games people are drooling over from Konami anymore is Silent Hill and Metal Gear, and Kojima owns and makes both now, and he has alway been the man behind the legend of Metal Gear. To leave or etc just when things were going more the perfect in his rise through the ranks? Where is the sense in this? 🙁 but you never know… I just hope I don’t ever see the day Snake is used by someone other then Kojima..

Look at the bright side, Hideo leaving Konami means Video making a New IP or continuing an existing franchise, and based on his admiration for Rock star my bet is that he will work for Rocktar and handle the Scrips and Direct the upcoming Rockstar Games, like GTA, a new Max Payne or the next Red Dead, or even Manhunt 3…actually he could direct Rocksar Tactical Espionage Game “Agent”

MichaelPayneV

If Video has left Konami, I’m happy, he deserves a better Publisher to work for, someone like Take2Interactive, Valve, WB Games etc.

PS: For the love of Kojima, DONT GO AT UBISOFT!

LiquidCampbell

Kojima Go to RockStar Games!

MichaelPayneV

Yes.

Silverius

No.

Chris Jackson

Wow, he deserves his name on those covers… I’m kind of upset right now.

Arin Luna

Studios change
along with the times, and the flow of the ages. And we Gamers are forced to
play along.

Vegas

But there is one game that will reunite all gamers for generations, The Phantom Pain. Even if times changes, even if Konami tries to make more and more Metal Gears, we will live on in the name of Kojima. Our little space to remember the good times, when we were amused just by waiting the game to come. Our true and only… Outer Heaven.

mikeyyytexas

It seems really fishy… I mean at least let Kojima have his name on this last title… Idk what they’re doing and it doesn’t look positive

Vegas

i think I wouldn’t buy any MGS that Konami plan to do without Kojima. Its really a dickmove to take his name out.

Kol Leqejza

it’s not konami who’s kcking him. he said that it is his last one. maybe they looking for a new director.

Vegas

I know, but Konami should move on instead of making MGS another tiring franchise. The last thing we need is another good franchise turning into a pile of average games (Assassins Creed, COD, ALL sport games IMO, Dragon Ball and Naruto games, Resident Evil, Splinter Cell tho i am not so sure about this position, etc).

Kol Leqejza

as far as i am concerned TPP is still “a hideo kojima game”. and the printing on my legacy collection didn’t disappear, so…

Vegas

Yeah i got it but i’m more concerned about what will happen with MGS in the future.

Yaro

man. Its a matter of principle. You do not remove someone credit from a front page like that. I understand rebranding but this looks more personal. They coiuld at least put directed by Hideo Kojima somewhere. It just doesnt leave a good taste regardless of the reasons.

Kojima himself talked about it last year, but not 100% sure though :). In my opinion he never said “I don’t want GZ to be separate” or something like that.

“The game was originally set to be released alongside The Phantom Pain but an extended development time resulted in director Hideo Kojima splitting the project in two parts so that players get an early access to Metal Gear Solid V.”

I think Kojima wanted to give us a tutorial for TPP, to get the feeling of new mechanics and stuff.

MichaelPayneV

Based on the face he made at GDC 2013 and the change of attitude when asked if GZ and TPP will be sold as 2 separate Games, and the way he replied.

Chris Jackson

Based on comments below, and here, you are a very presumptuous person. Wait for the facts, pal.

MrVux007

(-_-)

MichaelPayneV

No, he just went from happy to “You had to remind me, you just ruined my day”

I’m wondering if Konami wants to distance itself from the game due to the “taboo” subjects portrayed.. yet still retain profits from it :p

thetrooper1989

:”( did Kojima get fired?

Chris Jackson

How about the opposite. Konami, themselves, have the game now. Not Kojima Productions. Kojima Productions exists no longer.

Takezo

what would suck more, is if they purge the game of those taboo subjects to make it more mainstream

Cartmangus

In my uneducated opinion, could this be some sort of last ditch effort by Konami to brand Metal Gear as a KONAMI series and not a Kojima series? If it is true and he really is done with Metal Gear after this game and they have intentions of keeping it going, then maybe the less the name “Kojima” gets thrown around the better for them? I don’t know.

No Place For Hayter

That’s what I was thinking, I can tell the difference though, they can’t fool me……. or any of us here lol.

Gatsu

Yeah, he did say this will be his last Metal Gear game. So this starts to look like it is true, and then Konami stays with the series. I guess there is slight chance a new MG game can be good without Kojima, but a masterpiece that I don’t know.

No Place For Hayter

Hopefully we finally get to find out of Kojima’s team can create a MGS game without him.

Chris Jackson

They tried with Portable Ops, and other than a few story issues, and the damn stamina, the rest of the game was great.

No Place For Hayter

If Kojima is leaving Konami than this makes sense, if it is one thing I noticed about the Japanese gaming market (I mean the companies making and publishing the games) is that when something or someone leaves they try their darnedest to pretend that thing or person never existed in the first place, so if Kojima is leaving it makes sense that they would cut him out of and off of everything.

Also if this goes badly (looks like it will, looks like Konami are being a bunch of tools) I won’t simply not be buying any new MGS past MGSV I won’ be buying any Konami products period.

Perhaps, but this such a big name. Do they really think it’s going to fly? As if people will forget who he is.

No Place For Hayter

I don’t think it’s going to fly, but I believe Konami is dumb enough to believe so.

thetrooper1989

Nyxus….please tell me things will be okay

*cries in a fetal position*

No Place For Hayter

Well, what ever happens we will still be getting our completed Hideo Kojima MGSV-TPP.

thetrooper1989

What i’m afraid of is that Konami censored Kojima’s story for MGS V: TPP considering Kojima himself stated some of the topics were taboo and he was afraid of the public giving him backlash. Perhaps Kojima got angry over this and left idk , i hope its just my wild imagination.

decoyF0XX

But we’ll have to wait longer for Kojima’s next non-Konami game. They’ll never let him continue using the FOX Engine. Knowing Kojima he’ll probably build something new from the start, or maybe he’ll make an indie game. Anyway, that’s all in the future.

Gatsu

They do it like that D: ? I didn’t know.
Well lets see if we get more info about this soon, the man is a legend and will not be forgotten :).

But I really hope this don’t effect much Silent Hills development. It is one of the few games that I’m super excited about.

Venom_Sina

Yeah.The same happened with Shinji Mikami & Resident Evil.

Ninja_Se7eN

For now the official statement everywhere is that “Mr. Kojima will continue to develop and support Metal Gear products.”

you know what? You put that as a joke but I think it might be true. Kojima has said that Mother Base Boss relationship is a mirror of him and his studio. Looking at the destruction of mother base. XOF taking over FOX, the logo erasing on Deja Vu which doesnt delete all the logos from crappy MGS games made by Knoami without him. The Kojima logo on the searchlight that you physically put on a dark emblem.

Chris Jackson

Well, the dark emblem part really has no part in this. It’s simply finishing the logo with his fox. And, if I were to rate non-Kojima games, I’d say that some are okay. I understand what you’re getting at there though.

Yaro

Dont be so sure that is just putting a logo in there. Maybe he has been fighting this battle from quite some time. Remember “No place for Hideo”? Not to get conspiracy theory on this but it wouldn’t surprise me if this is the reasoning behind all this. Doing what he is doing with this game is super risky in many fronts and a lot of people in Konami might be afraid of the repercussions.

Toni Ymeri

Found this on twitter. . . .

decoyF0XX

I think Kojima can definitely see the future! Every thing makes so much sense right now XD

decoyF0XX

GIVE IT BACK!

XIFF-5

April’s fools day! Joking… ok sorry :/

No Place For Hayter

Lol, how to not April fools.

Gatsu

XD

Sonic 2099 The Hedgehog

It Woud be a Good Joke if it was Aprile 1st… BUT IT’S NOT!!

kirtanloorii

I think this makes sense. If Kojima leaves, it doesn’t make sense to have his name on everything.

Gatsu

Yeah I agree, on the future Konami games where he is not involved. But to remove his name from the games he has been working hard with is wrong imo. But life goes on :), like we can do anything about this lol.

kirtanloorii

Yes, but how many directors get the honor of putting their name on the games cover? Kojima has been lucky to be so loved by Konami all these years. He is one of the only game directors that I know of, and I have been playing games for 25+ years.

Gatsu

Hmm good point, not many add their name ;D…

Yea I don’t know many either, but Kojima is godlike so everyone should know of him :).

No Place For Hayter

Maybe Konami took the MGS4 advertising “No Place for Hideo” to literally.

César H. Sandoval

We’ll make diamonds from their ashes…

;_;7

kirtanloorii

“This is bad, isn’t it?”

Venom_Sina

They didn’t remove “A Hideo Kojima Game” from here.Probably They’re gonna do it in the near future.Just what the hell is happening?

Venom_Sina

They removed it.They are fast,I can give them that!!! TBH,I don’t like this.I have a bad feeling.

Batzi

Removing “A Hideo Kojima Game” from the box would be a bad and dumb marketing decision.

thetrooper1989

So I heard Neogaf banned you for some asinine reason. I was recently banned for a year for mistakenly posting magazine scans.

Batzi

My ban is lifted September 3rd. At this stage, I have nothing to add to this misery. I will wait patiently until the game comes out. When the time comes, I’ll pull the trigger.

Braden Gunn

I don’t know why, but I’m really not okay with this, like the thought Of Kojima quitting Konami, and MGSV being the last proper Metal Gear actually hurts.

Chris Jackson

He said, himself, this would be his last Metal Gear. The news is everywhere.

Braden Gunn

I know but he says that every time, now that he’s potentially left Konami, it seems likely he actually is leaving the series behind him.

Gatsu

Maybe they’re just playing us like a damn fiddle. I guess we’ll see soon enough what’s happening over there.

“As we have already announced, we are shifting our production structure
to a headquarters-controlled system, in order to establish a steadfast
operating base capable of responding to the rapid market changes that
surround our digital entertainment business,” read the statement.
“Konami Digital Entertainment (including Mr. Kojima), will continue to
develop and support Metal Gear products. Please look forward to future
announcements.”

It would be better to include the whole quote.
By that announcement, it doesn’t seem to be true that Kojima is leaving.

“Kojima is still included on Konami’s corporate profile as the executive content officer, though he was not included in a list of executive officers released on March 4. Those changes go into effect April 1.”

All I’m saying is, this is getting people talking. It would be a brilliant marketing strategy.

MichaelPayneV

Please be true, I would love a Hideo Kojima Max Payne or Red Dead.

Will Hough

Konami would never just remove Kojima’s name, even if he was leaving, because that doesn’t undo the fact that he made the games! It’s probably just site restructuring that is taking place in preparation for the release of The Phantom Pain and everybody is reading far too much into this.

Chris Jackson

When sites are taken down, studios renamed, people given different positions, and when a company responds to questions that would be asked, that’s not just site restructuring.

Will Hough

WOW! I didn’t appreciate that positions were actually being shifted! Bloody hell maybe there is more to this than I thought!

Chris Jackson

I take it you’re being sarcastic, so I’ll call you an idiot for now. How about you actually DO read it and find out.

Will Hough

No no sarcasm at all! I’m sorry if that’s how it came across! I hadn’t seen anything about actual positions being shifted so that came as a surprise to me.

Chris Jackson

I apologize. The thing about forums and boards is the lack of a tone of voice.

“The person added: “At a team meeting, Mr Kojima explained that team have to be one and make a good game for fans.”” This is what I like to see.

FMercenary

“Power struggles between Kojima Productions and Konami have led the publisher to make drastic changes, including the employee status of its Metal Gear team.”

I don’t know, this reads like something from a movie plot. So, will there be a KojiStation episode next week? Is this building up to a April’s Fool Day prank?

Chris Jackson

They called their source an anonymous, studio source. I wouldn’t touch this site with a ten foot pole in the first place.

Gatsu

I understand this is his last MGS game so he might have other plans. But if this really happens, then how will this all effect Silent Hills development ;C !?

I hope they still do it because it would be the best horror game in a very long time for sure.

Xilurm

So, considering all the news now and stuff. This infact might be the “last” MGS…. After all this time, can’t believe the day has come…

Gatsu

Yes after 17 years to me…it will be hard to believe my MGS with Kojima and his buddies ends ;(.
But we can be grateful that he finishes off with the best game, which we will play for many years to come.

Chris Jackson

People here are talking a bunch about how they could be sensoring taboo stuff and all, but games either have those, or not. They have English voicing done (probably others now), the models are done, along with their motion capture. I’m pretty sure there’s nothing to worry about with all of that.

Toni Ymeri

I’m actually not worried about this game but for the future of Metal Gear…

Javier Sosa

tpp
coming 2016

Chris Jackson

If my game doesn’t arrive on September 1, well… You don’t want to see me angry…

Javier Sosa

I’ll kill my self

Chris Jackson

I’ll turn into the Hulk… Or maybe Col. Volgin. I just won’t set myself on fire.

Kojima should be make a new company called Moby Dick Studios and make his own games (Snatchers, cough cough…). Only he needs is a big quantity of money to do that.

Have a nice day 🙂

FMercenary

We need answers!!! All we have are messages delivered by proxy!

Amir

He knew they would do this:

Bramdeman

They have canceled the CE for this edition. :O

Gatsu

Sausage :(…nooooo. Give it back, it was ours! >:O

Invader_skoodge

It doesn’t feel right to NOT have “A Hideo Kojima Game” on the title. I think he even explained in an interview that the games which have that on the title, he has complete control over and the ones which don’t, he doesn’t think of them as canon. What is this going to mean for Silent Hills? WTF Konami. They are basically hanging on by a franchise “MGS” PES didn’t do as well, Castlevania didn’t do well. They are basically a Mobile Game Company.

Ninja_Se7eN

Well, we really don’t know just what the heck is going on but this is really a rather strange move from Konami.
Specially because this was done behind the doors with no announcement whatsoever.

I hope that I’m wrong but I honestly believe something bad is about to be unveiled.

Amir

Let us remember this mission:

In the Jamais VuDeja Vu mission, you should remove the logos of the games that are directed by Kojima, and the phrase “A Hideo Kojima Game” doesn’t appear on these logos. Fans should know which games are his themselves.
And then when you remove them all, you get a thank you from him.
Miller also says:
“You might be able to erase the markings, but the memories will never disappear…”

Kojima knew they had something like this planned.

Golgari

I’m so fucking pissed right now at Konami or someone that do this stuff.
Good Lord, MGSV for me prolly is the perfection and not so long ago Release date was announced. Hype through the roof and now this?

Seriously? Konami just kills the hype for the game with this nonsense. I don’t believe this shit. Why you are removing his name? Kojima is a brand already. IT IS GOOD For Konami.

What about Silent Hills and other stuff?

Xilurm

Atleast we get one last amazing MGS game.

Gatsu

Lets see what Kojima has to say about all this. I wonder why they didn’t wait for this after TPP was released.

Amir

What really worries me is that 6 month is a long time and the company can force ideas and Kojima’s name out of the game.

I don’t remember which game or boss fight (please help me here), but I remember a scene where it was a fake reboot of the game but instead of the Konami logo with “KONAMI”, we would see the Konami logo but with the text “KOJIMA”.
What if they force him to take out these things from his game.
Or the Kojima Caminades dialogue in Peace Walker.

They are removing his name even from the cover, what if they remove his name throughout the game too? Many things can happen in 6 months.

Gatsu

They better not change ANYTHING from the game >;(, or I will go Nuclear. I mean it lol.

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.